The Power Squadrons is going social

Though United States Power Squadrons members are of all ages, it's most active volunteer leaders are, um, "seasoned." That can mean that we they are slow to adapt to trends and culture shifts. Power Squadrons* members are especially slow to adapt to all things Internet.

Members I speak with -- nearly all are, or near retired -- are casual users of email and downright distrustful of social media. We always laugh when I tell them their grandchildren will force them to Facebook, Twitter and texting. Young people will listen to music on their handhelds, but will not answer a phone call. Granny, meanwhile, believes one-on-one contact is the only authentic form of communication.

The Power Squadrons was wildly successful with authentic communication in the mid-20th Century. Today, that's a tough way to reach potential members who haven't the time for after-hours meetings and sit down classes. Face time will always be important to the Power Squadrons, especially for events like dock parties. That one-on-one stuff has faded as the best channel to reach the demographic critical to the Power Squadrons' future -- the 40-somethings new to boating.

Power Squadrons is no longer fighting the tide. Now they are on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, with links to all three from the Power Squadron's home page.

But members have to "get it" that Facebook and Twitter ( and Google+) are conversational. One visits them to say something, not just to soak updates. Soaking is for Web sites. Social Media is for everybody, EVERYBODY, to start conversation. I'm skeptical, yet hopeful, that Power Squadrons members will share.

Social media draws an audience because everyone shares something -- anything -- from comments to a post, to links to a story, or reaction to unfounded rumors that old people (yes, I said it) frown upon. I find that unfounded rumors draw bigger audiences (It's called trolling for hits), and that reaction to the reactions lead to the most vibrant conversation, if not to the truth itself.

Social media just does not work if the site moderator is the only contributor.

In time, Power Squadrons will reach more potential members through Facebook and Twitter than face-to-face. Since YouTube is more visual, that channel makes the most compelling case for what we do. In fact, Boating Fever will  link some of those video's here in the future.

I worked for a high tech company for 20 years, so have always been comfortable with the potential of this stuff. Threats to privacy are real, but nowhere near what old folks make it out to be. That's why I am comfortable pointing you to links to my personal Facebook profile, my Facebook Hog Heaven page covering the Washington Redskins and to my Twitter page that also covers the Redskins. Feel free to "friend" my profile page, "like" my Hog Heaven page, and "follow" my Twitter page.

The more you use social media, the more you learn to protect yourself. The first step is always to set your privacy settings to your comfort level. Your grandchildren can show you how to do that.

* United States Power Squadrons and Power Squadrons is always shown as a plural even when used in the singular. It's the Power Squadrons recognition of the 400 or so individual squadrons that make up the organization. Local squadrons are always shown in the singular when referring to a single squadron. 

Used in sentences:
The Power Squadrons is the largest non-profit volunteer boating safety civic group.
Power Squadrons is no longer fighting the tide on social media.
Boating is fun. Power Squadrons shows you how.